New Girl in New York with questions

[Julie Croce]

I'm so happy I found parkerguns.org
In reading posts I've seen that there are many people here happy to help.
You don't see that kind of kindness much any more. My uncle just passed. Since I am the gun enthusiast in the family, I was given the gun and asked to find out information on this gun and it's value which will then be given to his daughter. I know pictures will hlep and I will add them as soon as I get a chance. But to start, it is a Parker Bros 20 ga. serial number 227795.
It is a side by side with Trojan Steel 28" barrels, extractors not ejectors and many markings:
PAT'D Oct 25 1910. It has a hexagon with the letters OV in side it and there is a large 0. It also has what looks like a H1 or HT with the letter A under them.
Under the butt plate is a 0344 on the stock.
I would be greatfull to any one who would be be kind enough to tell me more about this gun.

[greg conomos]

The Trojan is the lowest price Parker, and is fairly common. The 20 gauge is less common than a 12, and is worth more. Photos would be a great help in determining what you have, i.e. condition. Trojans generally had few options so the condition of the gun will be its main factor. Regardless, it's a Parker and that says a lot.

[Chuck Bishop]

Hello Julie and welcome to the discussion forum. We have no surviving factory records for your Trojan. The Trojan grade was Parker's economy gun. It's still a Parker gun and made by craftsman with great care.

My best advice is to visit the PGCA home page and the links on the left will take you to different sections of the web site for you to gain more information on what a Trojan grade consisted of.

To get an opinion on your gun, post clear in focus pictures of the stock, all areas of the receiver, forend, and barrel marks including the rib inscription and the end of the rib at the muzzle. The condition of the inside and outside of the barrels is important. Is there any rust on the gun?

When you reply to this thread, at the bottom of the page is where you can attach pictures listed as "Manage Attachments." If the pictures are stored on your computer, search and attach them, just follow the directions.

Looking forward to your pictures.

[Julie Croce]

Thank you, Greg and Chuck, for such quick responses. Here are some pictures.

[Julie Croce]

And please let me now if I am missing any thing.

[Dean Romig]

That's a well used and very well cared for Trojan. That gun will do anything a A1S will do but just not with the same sparkle and glitter.

[paul stafford jr]

I would suggest searching web sites like gun brokers and other sites for like condition guns to get an idea what its worth may be , most of us parker people don't like offering gun value with out seeing the gun in hand. yours is the lowest grade butt still nice looking and most of us would be proud to have it hanging on our wall

[Julie Croce]

Hello Julie and welcome to the discussion forum. We have no surviving factory records for your Trojan. The Trojan grade was Parker's economy gun. It's still a Parker gun and made by craftsman with great care.

My best advice is to visit the PGCA home page and the links on the left will take you to different sections of the web site for you to gain more information on what a Trojan grade consisted of.

To get an opinion on your gun, post clear in focus pictures of the stock, all areas of the receiver, forend, and barrel marks including the rib inscription and the end of the rib at the muzzle. The condition of the inside and outside of the barrels is important. Is there any rust on the gun?

When you reply to this thread, at the bottom of the page is where you can attach pictures listed as "Manage Attachments." If the pictures are stored on your computer, search and attach them, just follow the directions.

Looking forward to your pictures.

The links on the left of the home page are wonderful. I've learned so much already.
And I would never have gotten the pictures uploaded without your help.
:oEven with the instructions it took a minute for me to find the "Manage Attachments." on the page. :vconfused:But I'm blond. Thank you.

[Mills Morrison]

Very nice gun. And nice case too:cool:

I have 2 Trojan 20's and they are great guns

[Rick Losey]

Julie - the advice above on checking selling prices on the auction sites like gunbroker or gunsinternational is the best way to determine what they actually sell for, but try your best to find equal condition. this takes time. Many are advertised with glowing praise that are not original or or have had "work" done on them. And many go unsold because they start too high. You also cannot search completed auctions on gunbroker, so you need to find a couple that are similar, bookmark them and check after they close.

for example - here is one from a well known dealer, see if it sells at that price
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=380198044

i see another at about double that that is not original.

this one has had a pad added
http://www.gunsinternational.com/Parker-20ga-Trojan-28.cfm?gun_id=100368141

this one has been "touched up" incorrectly - but the sale is pending at what I would think is a deal price wise
http://www.gunsinternational.com/PARKER-TROJAN-GRADE-20-GAUGE-DOUBLE-BARREL-SHOTGUN.cfm?gun_id=100395176

Unfortunately, very few of us qualify as appraisers, although very few of us are lacking in opinions either. For appraisals, the average gun shop is even worse.

I am one who thinks keeping family history in the family is a great thing. I would add that the case (although non-Parker in origin) is a great extra. in it current condition the value is nill it may well be restorable to keep with the gun. we have a member - Kevin McCormack - who does this sort of work.

[paul stafford jr]

speaking on the case I have a similar one in shape but the stock gos in from one end and the barrels from the other end. the tweed cloth inside makes me think its English but I don't know, no makers mark I can find it can hold barrels up to 29 inchs long

[greg conomos]

It's a really nice old gun and case. It has enough wear that it won't be considered 'highly collectible' by most but it's a great gun to be passed down and used with care.
IMO $2K is at the high end of its value, but it's worth more than $1K for sure. I think you could sell it for $1750 or more without much trouble.

I assume you did not disassemble the barrels from the gun, but if you do try to put it back together make note that the forend must first be removed from the barrels, and the 'barrel opening lever' must be moved to the right before the barrels can be put into place.

[Mills Morrison]

Keep in mind when surfing guns for sale online, many have been for sale for several years with no takers because they are priced above market.

[Julie Croce]

Thank you Rick. I have been looking and will check out the listings suggested here.
By the way...You can search completed listings on Gunbroker. In the Advanced Search, switch the tab, above the 'Search Words' box, to Completed. You can also switch the 'Show Only' (at the bottom of the search page) to select a duration of time to search, up to 90 days. After doing so go back to the top and click search.

[Julie Croce]

It's a really nice old gun and case. It has enough wear that it won't be considered 'highly collectible' by most but it's a great gun to be passed down and used with care.
IMO $2K is at the high end of its value, but it's worth more than $1K for sure. I think you could sell it for $1750 or more without much trouble.

I assume you did not disassemble the barrels from the gun, but if you do try to put it back together make note that the forend must first be removed from the barrels, and the 'barrel opening lever' must be moved to the right before the barrels can be put into place.

Thank you for the tips. I have had the gun together. Just didn't think to do it for the pictures. I've been keeping it in the case until I make room a safe. As a novice to Parker Bros shot guns, but not to guns, those prices are a little higher than I figured but in the same all park.

[David Noble]

Julie, the advice you have been given here is excellent and everyone does want to help.
It's good that you are researching this Parker for the family. If you are trying to establish a value for the estate, do try to be a bit on the conservative side of value. Since the gun is to go to your cousins daughter, depending on her age, someone like yourself should care for the gun until she is old enough to appreciate it. If she is still young, it should be shown to her often along with stories told to her of her father. In my opinion, the gun should not actually be given to her until she is of an age to respect and cherish it. At that point, it will be priceless to her.

[Mills Morrison]

David gives good advice and I second him

[charlie cleveland]

i will third this.. charlie

[Brian Dudley]

Julie,
Where in NY are you located?

[Harry Collins]

Julie,

I love the little Trojan 20's. This is the one my father found under the Christmas tree as a boy. He carried it in his lap on the train to Military School. You can see the honest ware from near 70 years of shooting. I took it to a dove hunt this fall and it has made an appearance there and accounted for itself well for 65 years. My grandsons are shooting it with 3/4 oz loads.

Kindest, Harry